Area Gears Up for Annual Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks Show at La Mirada Regional Park
La Mirada~La Mirada’s annual Independence Celebration will be held Tuesday, July 3 from 4 to 9:30 p.m. at La Mirada Regional Park.
The celebration will include live music by Variety Country band "The Skinny Little Twits", as well as the Rolling Stones Tribute Band "The Ultimate Stones".
A variety of tasty
food will be on sale by La Mirada’s local community service and athletic groups inlcluding the world famous tri tip sandwiches served up by La Mirada Kiwanis.
The celebration will conclude with a patriotic program and fireworks spectacular.
As a reminder to all those coming to the celebration, charcoal barbeques are not permitted at the park. To help prevent trip hazards, rope and caution tape around picnic areas should not be used.
Also, be sure to keep the following guidelines in mind on the day of the event:
Parking: In addition to parking at La Mirada Regional Park, overflow parking is available at the La Mirada High School stadium lot, BIOLA University (entrance off of La Mirada Blvd.), and Civic Center Plaza. All red curb restrictions are being enforced. Patrons parking in red zones will be issued citations. Parking along Foster Road is allowed only after "No Parking" signs have been covered the day of the event by the City.
Shuttle Service: La Mirada Transit will be available to transport patrons to and from the BIOLA University parking lot to La Mirada Regional Park. Shuttle service is provided from 4 to 10 p.m.
Picnic Areas: Patrons are allowed to set-up picnic areas the morning of July 3. Caution tape and rope create trip hazards and are not allowed. Any area of the park is open to patrons unless marked for event use. Charcoal Barbeques are not allowed. La Mirada Regional Park is open from dawn to dusk. Overnight campers will be considered in violation of park hours and may be cited.
For more information, please call (562) 943-7277 or visit www.cityoflamirada.org.
La Mirada Based Theatre Group Seeking Young Artists
Seeking Actors, Dancers, Singers, Writers, Directors, Film Makers, Choreographers, Ages 16-23 
La Mirada~Phantom Projects Theatre Group of La Mirada is seeking young actors, dancers, writers, singers, filmmakers, choreographers, directors, spoken word artists, and any other type of performance artist, to audition for the 2012 Young Artist Project. Interested participants can submit an application online at www.PhantomProjects.com.
This is neither a talent show nor a competition, and it is not an event for beginners. This is a fully-staged production written and performed by the participants. Only 10 of the over 100 applications received will be selected. Those chosen will have exactly 14 days to completely create, rehearse and prepare their event to be performed August 4th, 2012 as the final production in Phantom Projects Theatre Group’s 2011-2012 Season at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts.
2012 marks the 6th anniversary of the project at the 1,251-seat venue.
El Camino High Students Presented With Scholarship Funds From Kiwanis
El Camino High Seniors Presented With Scholarship Checks From La Mirada Kiwanis
By Tony Aiello
La Mirada~ Two El Camino High School seniors recently were given scholarship awards from the Kiwanis Club of La Mirada.
The students were presented with their gifts at a ceremony on the school campus this past Thursday.
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| left to right, Valerie Mejia, counselor, Rich Trujjillo. Lou Piltz & Tom Thornton (LM Kiwanis Club), $1000 awardee Zayara Silva, Mr. Brown, El Camino High School Principal. photo Kiwanis Club |
La Mirada~La Mirada Kiwanis members Lou Piltz, Tom Thornton, and Rich Trujillo acknowledged the students, and they were joined by El Camino principal Darryl Brown and other local dignitaries including Norwalk-La Mirada School Board member, Darryl Adams.
Located in La Mirada, El Camino is a California State Model Continuation High School.
Students were judged on their merit, grades, school activity; along with their community involvement and accomplishments.
This year’s winners-which included La Mirada high students-received scholarship amounts totally $11,000, with 14 students overall, receiving gifts.
Annually, scholarship amounts are awarded in the amounts of $500 and $1000.
At El Camino, Courtney Morrison and Zaraya Silva each received $1000.
La Mirada High students received their prizes earlier in the week.
For over 30 years, the service club has offered the scholarships. To qualify, students must reside in La Mirada, but can be attending any high school.
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| Courtney Morrison also received $1000. photo Kiwanis Club |
Kiwanis Club of La Mirada Present Scholarships to La Mirada High Seniors
La Mirada~The Kiwanis Club of La Mirada presented their scholarship awards to nine La Mirada high school seniors who are interested in continuing their education.
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| Lou Piltz and Rich Trujillo from the Kiwanis of La Mirada are flanked by this year's LMHS scholarship recepients. photo Kiwanis Club |
The students were presented with their gifts at a ceremony this past Tuesday at the school.
Students were judged on their merit, grades, school activity; along with their community involvement and accomplishments.
This year’s winners received scholarship amounts totally $11,000, with 14 students overall, receiving gifts.
Scholarship amounts are awarded in the amounts of $500 and $1000.
La Mirada High School students who received $1000 were Teresa Co, Phyong-Lien Ngheim, Megan Hoyarek, Ramon Visaiz and Christy Pflanzer.
$500 recipients included Melissa Aceves, Eric Matheny, Nicholas Sanchez-McCormick and Nicholas Popoy.
For over 30 years, the service club has offered the scholarships. To qualify, students must reside in La Mirada, but can be attending any high school.
Modern Day Monolith Now on Display
Super stone traveled through La Mirada to its new home
Los Angeles~After over 40 years, Michael Heizer’s conception has become a reality.
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| Terry Semel (co-chair LACMA board), LA County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, Gabrielle Govan, Mary Heizer (artist's wife), Micahel Govan (museum director), and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa lead the way to the new exhibit. photo Tony Aiello |
After a similar failed attempt in 1969, his Levitated Mass officially opened this past Sunday morning at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Under clear blue skies with warm temperatures, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, and a throng of reporters and admirers, helped welcome the newest monumental outdoor artwork installed at the museum.
The ceremony was open free to the public.
The art exhibit is a 456-long concrete slot, over which sits the 340-ton granite boulder brought to the museum in a well publicized event this past March. As visitors walk through the slot, the pathway descends to fifteen feet in depth, running underneath the giant stone before ascending back up.
This past March, the megalith was transported 108 miles to its new home after being discovered by Heizer at a Jurupa Mountains quarry in Riverside County.
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| Visitors are dwarfed by Giant Rock. photo Tony Aiello |
The giant granite traveled on a specially designed route covering four counties and 22 cities-with La Mirada being one of them.
Director of Development for the museum, Melissa Bomes was very excited to finally see the rock here, “My stomach is fluttering like a butterfly right now,” she said, “We are so excited to have this here, and we really look forward to the metropolitan area coming to visit us for years to come.”
“We hope residents of the cities that participated will take advantage of our special offer.”
As a thank you gesture, the museum is offering free admission through July 1st to residents in communities through which the boulder passed, including La Mirada. Residents must show proof of living in a zip code along the route.
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| The Rock in La Mirada this past March 5th. photo @hking |
Two Men Who Shot at Pedestrians in Unincorporated Whittier Arrested by Norwalk Deputies
Whittier~Two young adults have been arrested by Norwalk Sheriff’s after they eluded them in an incident early Sunday morning.
At 12:50 a.m., Norwalk Station Patrol Deputies arrested Carlos Hernandez, 18 of Whittier and Roman Rosales 19 of Long Beach for assault with a firearm, discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle at a person and evading a peace officer.
The deputies were on patrol in the area of Carmenita Road and Trumball Street, when they saw a car occupied by two men, fire at a group of three people standing at the bus stop on Carmenita Road, south of Trumball Street. The suspects fled in their vehicle and were arrested after a short vehicle pursuit.
A loaded pistol was recovered by the deputies after the arrest.Anyone who may have been a victim or witnessed this crime are asked to contact Operations Safe Streets Detective Farias at Norwalk Station (562) 863-8711.
Historical Day in La Mirada as Valley View Separation Project Commences
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| La Mirada City Manager Tom Robinson, Councilman Steve Jones, Mayor Gabe Garcia, Councilman Larry Mowles and Assistant to the City Manager, Jeff Boynton were some of the participants in the groundbreaking ceremony. |
Santa Fe Springs~An idea, a vision, and a conversation, ongoing since the late 1990's, has finally come to fruition as the ground breaking ceremony for the Valley View Grade Separation Project took place today at the intersection of Valley View Avenue and Stage Road on the La Mirada/Santa Fe Springs border.
The $65 million project-the largest transportation improvement project ever undertaken by either of the two cities-will construct and create a grade separation at the Valley View Avenue and the BNSF Railway/Stage Road intersection.
BNSF, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and LA Metro are the other project partners.
It is funded by state and federal resources and BNSF Railway.
"We are very fortunate to be able to move forward with the Valley View Avenue grade separation project. This important project will not only facilitate better and safer traffic circulation, but will also help revitalize the local economy, said City of Santa Fe Springs Mayor William K. Rounds."
The project is also a component of the $163 million Triple Track Project, which is a collaboration of Caltrans and BNSF Railway to improve the flow of international trade and passenger and commuter rail.
The Triple Track Project will be completed within a 15-mile segment of the railway between the cities of Commerce and Fullerton, and will result in the laying of a third track next to the existing two.
When the grade separation project is completed, traffic on Valley View-estimated to be 40,000 vehicles daily- will flow under the rail tracks resulting in improved safety for motorists, an enhanced traffic flow, and reduced air pollution associated with idling vehicles.
Apparent kidnapping in La Mirada results in one arrest by Norwalk Sheriffâs
An apparent kidnapping involving a La Mirada resident on Thursday, has resulted in the arrest of one suspect by members of the Norwalk Sheriff's Department.
Norwalk Sheriff's Station deputies responded to a "person with a gun" call at 3:49 P.M. on the 14000 block of East Plantana Drive, La Mirada.
When they arrived, deputies were told that that 27-year old Suspect Derek Martin of Brea came to a residence in La Mirada looking for his 18-year girlfriend, who is also a resident of Brea.
Instead he found a 22-year old man from Corona and pointed a handgun at him, demanding he tell the whereabouts of the 18-year old woman.
The 18-year old woman heard the commotion and stepped out of the residence. Suspect Martin demanded that she get into his car. Out of fear, the victim complied. Sheriff's deputies began a search and contacted neighboring police agencies.
Later, Brea Police Department officers located the vehicle on the 200 block of Ash Avenue in Brea.
Norwalk Sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and were able to locate Suspect Martin and the 18-year old victim, who was unharmed.
Suspect Martin was arrested at approximately 6:20 P.M. for assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping and is being held in lieu of $100,000.00 bail.
If you have further information, contact LASD Norwalk Sheriff's Station detectives (562) 863-8711. Or if you wish to remain Anonymous, call "LA Crime Stoppers" by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
One of a Kind History Book for La Mirada Scheduled for Release in 2013
Deadline to for entries extended to September 1st, 2012
La Miradans Glen Cantrell, Raymond Fernandez, Morgan Hurley and Tony Aiello are right now working on the first ever of its kind history book along with many, many La Mirada folks who
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| Authors for new "real life" history book about La Mirada scheduled for release in 2013- l to r, Glen Cantrell, Morgan Hurley, Raymond Fernandez, and Tony Aiello gathered at The Carriage recently. |
were raised in the same Community.
This La Mirada Community Memoirs sets a brand new standard in city history books where history will be presented factually and chronologically with the memories of our fellow neighbors who lived throughout the City.Six decades of cherished and not so pleasant memories will be put into book format with no holds barred.
Send in your story about growing and living in La Mirada and be part of this one of a kind book to be published in 2013.
The deadline to submit your memory is September 1st, 2012. Submit your entries to: cantrellglen50@yahoo.com
The book is currently heading over 100,000 words, making this book epic status. Join us fellow La Miradans as we remember The Courtesy Capitol of the World - La Mirada.
La Mirada Girls Develop a Lifelong Friendship Through Sports
La Mirada~ Actually, of course, it's just the beginning of their life journey for the young ladies on the La Mirada High Softball team, but, in many ways it is the end of a very special time for eight La Mirada girls.
When the Lady Matadores fell to Don Lugo in the CIF Division 2 semi-finals recently, it was the last time that the eight seniors on the team would play together.
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| On to the next step. La Mirada High's Lisa Perez, Shelbee Gomez, Mylee Macahilig, Rabecca Rice, Courtney Skogen, Jenevie Rivas, Rochelle Sablay, and Ambar Hickman |
We spoke with Rich Trujillo, La Mirada's head coach for the past 13 seasons, via telephone. He was on the La Mirada High softball field preparing for an orientation about La Mirada softball for a new group of incoming current La Mirada eighth graders.
"It's bittersweet," said Trujillo, "we have known these kids, and their parents, personally, for a long time."
Lisa Perez, Shelbee Gomez, Mylee Macahilig, Rabecca Rice, Courtney Skogen, Jenevie Rivas, Rochelle Sablay, and Ambar Hickman have basically been playing together since they were about eight, playing in La Mirada youth leagues, travel ball, and then ultimately at La Mirada High School.
Many communities have children growing up together playing youth sports and in many instances, there will be two or three kids, who stay together and will play in high school together, in whatever sport. But, to have eight kids grow up playing ball, and graduate high school, together, is truly rare.
In fact, word is there would have been nine, but one girl chose not to play this year.
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